Apparatus for blowing or pumping oil wells



Oct. 9, 1951 J. B. HAWLEY, JR

APPARATUS FOR BLOWING OR PUMPING OIL WELLS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 6, 1945 Fh %U 3f 3 ma Am ..M

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APPARATUS FOR BLOWING 0R PUMPING on. WELLS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 mm s Wwf/A/ZZ IIJAAA/ Inventor- Filed Dec. 6, 1945 B A. M Y

Oct.-9, 1951 J. B. HAVVLEY, JR

APPARATUS FOR BLOWING OR PUMPING OIL WELLS Filed Dec. 6, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor- QJOHN B. HAWLEY JR.

Oct. 9, 1951 B, HAWLEY, JR 2,570,553

APPARATUS FOR BLOWING OR PUMPING OIL WELLS Filed Dec. 6, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventor JOHN B. HAWLEYJR.

Attorney.

Patented Oct. 9, 1951 APPARATUS FOR BLOWING OR PUMPING OIL WELLS John B. Hawley, J r., Minneapolis, Minn.

Application December 6, 1945, Serial No. 633,158

,. 1 r This invention relates to a method and apparatus for blowing an oil well or in other words discharging oil from the well by means of air under pressure.

In many cases where oil wells have beenso blown, it has been necessary to fill the entire well creasing with compressed air. .Such a method is wasteful of compressed air and the cost of compressing air becomes prohibitive. Another objection to previous methods of blowing or flowing a well is the fact that the face of the oil sand is subjected to high pressure which forces the oil back from the well into the sand. Furthermore if the oil sand has high permeability tremendous quantities of compressed air escape into the oil sand.

It is an object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for blowingor flowing an oil well in which the compressed air is efiiciently used and conserved.

, It is a further object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for flowing an oil well in which a casing of great length is used forming a collection chamber, the bottom of which chamber is disposed quite a distance below the bottom of the oil sand and into which chamber the oil flows by gravity together with a dis harge pipe extending downwardly into said chamber to adjacent the bottom thereof with means for delivering compres ed air into said casing and then subsequently delivering said air into a chamber about said casing and between the same and wall of the well.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus fdr flowing an oil well comprising a casing extending do nwardly into the well below the oil sand and forming a chamber therein adapted to receive oil by gravity flow, a discharge pipe extending downwardly in said casing to adjacent the bottom thereof, means for delivering air under pressure tosaid ca ing, and means for determining the amount of oil in the well which is approximately the same level as the oil in said chamber of said casing.

It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus for flowing an oil well comprising a casing extending downwardly into said well below the oil sand and having openings therein to receive oil by gravity flow, there being a chamber between said casing and the wall of said Well, a discharge pipe' extending downwardly into said casing to adjacent the bottom thereof, means for delivering compressed air to said casing for forcing oil through said discharge pipe, and means for delivering the compressed air in said 15 Claims. (Cl. 103-234) casing to the chamber between said casing and the 'wall of said well.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a partly schematic view showing the well in vertical cross section and showing valve blocks used in vertical and horizontal cross section;

Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section of the lower portion of the Well and parts therein;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 33 of Fig. 2, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2, as indicated by the arrows, Figs. 3. and 4 being shown on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 5 is a view in front elevation of the valve blocks and parts carried thereby, parts of the well being shown in vertical section;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the valve blocks and parts carried thereby; and

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken on line 1--1 of Fig. 2, as indicated by the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, an oil well is shown having a chamber .IU in the upper part of which isdisposed a casing ll. Casing II is connected at its upper end to a valve block l2 having a lower connecting portion [3. A casing 14, illustrated as of cylindrical form, is disposed in the well In and extends downwardly thereinto for uuite a distance below the oil-bearing sand. While the size and length of said casing may be varied, in practice this casing has been made about four inches inside diameter and approximately three hundred feet long, the same having a capacity of approximately 4 barrels of oil, said casing being lowered to'adjacent the bottom of the collection chamber Illa in the well and it has been disposed with its bottom about feet below the bottom of the Oil-bearing sand. Casing l4 adjacent its lower end has sets of circumferentially spaced slots or openings Ma therethrough and the oil flows through these openings into the casing [4 until the oil level in the casing is substantially the same as the oil level in the well. As shown, casing I4 is spaced from'the wall of the well so that there is a chamber lOb between said casing and the Wall of the well. As shown, casing l4 may comprise several sections which will be threaded and connected by the sleeves Me. A discharge pipe l6 extends downwardly inside of easing I4 to adjacent the bottom thereof, said discharge pipe l6 having connected therein a sleeve lBa having a plurality of radially extending and circumferentially spaced holes [61) therethrough, said sleeve having a lower portion threaded into a valve cage l'i having a number of circumferentially spaced ribs Ila projecting inwardly from its wall and disposed above a valve seat i'lb with which a ball valve [Bi adaptedto cooperate. A screen member 19 is connected to the lower end of member I! and comprises a casing formed of a helical member l9a having a plurality of rods lBb therein and. spot welded thereto, member {9a having spaces between its convolutions. A solid pointed head 190 is connected to the lowerendof screen Casing [4 extends upwardly ,in'tothe block 12 and is connected to a passage 12a, therein. Discharge pipe IB extends to a block 29 communicating with a passage a, which in turn communicates with a larger passage'so that a valve seat 201) is formed with which cooperates a valve 2| having 'a stem 2la extending through a closing and packing member 22 and provided with a handle 23 at its upper end. Member 22 is threaded into and secured into a top closing member Zlic for block 20. Stem Zia is suitably threaded so that valve 2| is closed or opened by rotation of handle 23. A discharge pipe 24 extends from the side of block 25 and will convey the discharged oil to the desired place. A gauge 25 is connected with block 213 and communicates with passage 29a. A small pipe or conduit 26 is connected by a suitable coupling 2 to block 26 communicating with passage 20a and at its upper end is connected by a suitable coupling '28 to a valve block 38. Block 39 has a passage 35a at its lower end with which communicates a, conduit 3! threaded into said block and to which air under pressure is delivered. Passage 35a communicates with a larger passage 38b forming therewith a valve seat 300 on which a valve 32 is adapt d to seat, said valve having a valve stem 32a extending throughsuitable closing and packing means 33 secured in a top closing member 3'4 of block 30. Stem 32a is provided at its upper end "with a handle 35 and is suitably threaded 'so that rotation of handle 35 opens and closes valve '32. A small passage 38d extends from passage 3% communicating with a larger passage see and forming therewith a valve seat withwhich cooperates a valve 35 equipped with a, handle 31 extending through and suitably threaded in packing members 38. Passage 306 is connected by a small passagefifif to a passage with which communicates pipe 26. Another small passage 3131c extends from passage 3% and communicates with a. larger passage h forming therewith a valve seat with which coo erates a valve 39 having secured thereto a handle '40 extending through and suitably threaded in connecting and packing means 4| secured in block 39. A small exhaust passage 352' extends from passage '30h-to the top of block and thus'to the atmosphere. Passage 39b is connected by conduit '44 to valve block l2. Block I2 has a passage 12a therein which is connected by suitable means, such as a conduit 5, to the casing l4. Conduit :M communicates with a passage [2b in block 12 communicating at one 'end with passage IZa and adapted to be closed off therefrom by'a valve 41 cooperating with a valve seat I20 and having a valve stem lla extending through suitable connecting and packing members .48 threaded :into and secured in the'qlosing member 49 for valve block l2. Valve rod 41a is equipped with a handle 50 and valve 41 can be opened and closed by rotation of handle 50. Passage 52b communicates with a passage lZd and is adapted to be shut ofi therefrom by a valve 52 cooperating with a valve seat 126 and having a stem 52a extending through and suitably threaded into connecting and packing means 53 threaded to andsecured in a closingrmember 54 for block l2. Valve rod 52a is equipped with a handle 55 at its outer end and valve 52 can be opened or closed by rotation of handle 55. Passage [2d is adapted to "be connected by suitable means such as a conduit 5'! with the casing l l and thus with the chamber Mb between the wall of well 10 and casing l4. Conduit 57 is provided with a branch conduit "58 connected to an exhaust valve .59 having a cock 59a which can be turned to open or close said valve and thus connect or shut off passage l2d from the atmosphere. Passage |2d also communicates with 'a passage 12f and-is adapted to be shut ofi therefrom bya valve 62 arranged to cooperate with the seat 12 and equipped with a stem 62a extending through'and suitably threaded to connecting and packing members 63'secured in a closing member 64 of block l2. Stem'62a has'a handle -65 connected to its outer end and valve 62 can be closed or opened by rotation of handle "62. Passage 12] has connected thereto a conduit or pipe 66 threaded into a closing member 6T'of block 12. Passage 1 2a communicates with an exhaust passage l2h extending'to the outer side of block1 2 "and thus to the atmosphere and is adapted to be shut off from passage 12h bya va'lveGB cooperating with a seat I22 and having a stem 58a extending through and suitably threaded in connecting and packing means 59 threaded in and secured in a closing member "10 of block 12. Stem 68a is provided with a handle "H atits outer end and valve 68 can be opened and closed by rotation of handle I I.

A small assage I2 communicates with'passage 12b beyond valve 41 and is controlled by a valve 72 having a stem'72a suitably supported and threaded into connecting and packing means 13 threaded in and secured in block l2. Stern 1206 has a handle 14 at its outer end and rotation of handle M will open and close valve 12. A gauge 16 is connected to block I 2 and communicates with passage I27. A small passage I'Zm communicates with passage I2b beyond valve 52 and is controlled by a valve "1'! having a stem 17c suitably threaded and supported in packing and connecting means 18 threaded in and secured to block 12. Stem 11a has ahandle 19 at its outer 'end so that rotation of handle "18 will open and close valve 11. A gauge '80 is connected to'block I2 and communicates with passage Mm.

In operation valve 32 willnormally be closed. The oil in the'well-will pass from chamber Hlb through the openings Ma into the casing l4. "This 'oil will pass through the screen 19 lifting valve I81, and the level of oil will be substantially the same in chamber 102), casing 14' and the -'dis-- chargepipe It. To determine the amount of-oil in the well valve 2! will be closed and valve 32' will be opened. Valves -41 and 52 are closed. Valve 36wil1be opened by turning handle 31. Air under pressure is now delivered into :passage 3519, through passage 350, "through conduit and to-the discharge pipe l6. This air'which is thus bled into pipe I6 will pass downward in said pipe forcing the. oil down and will leak out when it gets down to "openings [6b. The pressure thus pounds.

created in discharge pipe l6 will then equal the pressure of the headof oil in casing l4 and this pressure will show upon the gauge 25. If said When the Well is to be blown or discharged,

valve 2| is opened to connect discharge pipe [6 to the flow or discharge conduit 24. Valve 36 will be closed and valve 32 will be opened. Valve 41 will be opened and valves 52 and 68 will be closed. Air under pressure is now delivered from the conduit 3| through passage 30b, conduit 44, passage 12b, past valve 41, into passage l2a and through conduit 46 to casing l4. The air now passes downwardly in casing l4 and the oil is forced downwardly and will be forced upwardly and out of pipe Hi. When the air in casing l4 passes down to openings I61), it will pass into discharge pipe l6 and force the oil still in said pipe upward and out through conduit 24. When the air is delivered to casing l4 the pressure will close valve l8. When air appears at the top of discharge pipe IE or in flow pipe 24, valve 2| will be closed. The air under pressure will thus be retained in casing 14. After valve 2| is closed and valve 32 closed, valve 52-will be opened. This will permit the discharge of the air under pressure from casing l4 through conduit 46, passage I2a, past valve 41, into passage l'2b, past valve 52, into passage l2d andjthrough conduit 51 to casing II. The air is thus exhausted from the top of easing l4 and delivered to the top of chamber Illb. This acts to force the oil in chamber I b downwardly and the oil will pass through the openings l 4a into casing l4, through and into the screen l9 and past valve 18 into discharge pipe IS. The casing l4 will thus be again filled to the same level as oil in the well and this level will also be in the discharge pipelB. The quantity of compressed air in casing M in one installation and practice after valve 2| was closed was approximately barrels at 500 pounds pressure which is the pressure which has been used in practice. The capacity of the well was approximately 25 barrels. When the compressed air is discharged into the well or into chamber l2b, the air flows into chamber illb until thepressure in the casing l4 droppedto approximately 100 After the air has been discharged into the well or chamber [0b, valve 68 is opened and the pressure remaining in casing I4 is discharged to the atmosphere through passage I2h. Then the 100 pounds pressure in chamber Oh acts further to force the oil through screen [9, past valve [8 and into the casing l4 and discharge pipe [5. If the well is a low capacity well the oil forced into casing l4 and pipe I6 is allowed to remain therein for a day or two for a further collection. If, however, the well is a large producer it may be possible to again repeat the blowing operation as above described. The passage [2f and conduit 66 are provided for the discharge of gas from the well and this may be utilized for instance.

as a fuel for gas engines to operate the air compressors for producing a supply of compressed air or air under pressure. After the well has been blown, valve 32 will be closed, and, as stated, valve 2| will be closed. Valves 4'! and 52 will be closed and valve 62 will be opened. The gas from the 62 and out through passage [2) and conduit 66.

The passage 302 to the atmosphere is provided! so that any leakage of high pressure air past valve 32 will be exhausted to the atmosphere. Valve 39 is thus opened during the periods between blowings. This exhausting of the leakage: of air to the atmosphere eliminates the necessity of valves 4! and 52 being highly accurate for forming completely perfect closures. Exhausting the leakage of air through passage 302' thus prevents this air from reaching the gas discharged from the well and diluting the same. The smallest leak at 500 pounds will dilute the gas to such an extent as to stop the operation of the gas engine. Valve 59 is provided so that the pressure in the well or chamber 10b can be exhausted to the atmosphere when desired. The gauge 80 is provided so that an operator by opening valve 11 can determine the pressure in the well or in chamber Iflb. The gauge 16 is provided so that the operator by opening valve 12 can determine the pressure in casing Id. In practice quite a number of wells are similarly connected to the air pressure line. The gauges 1B and 8!] may be carried by an inspecting operator and placed in the valve block I2 at each well as he goes from one well to another. The valves 12 and I1 are thus necessary.

As above stated, the drawings illustrate an oil well which in practice had the casing l4 of about 4 inches inside diameter and 300 feet long, the same having a capacity of approximately 4 barrels.

Also, as stated in the description of the views, Fig. 1 is a schematic view, While Figs. 5 and 6 show the valve block [2 with the connections thereto as it is actually used in practice.

From the above description it will be seen that I have provided a simple and efiicient method and apparatus for blowing oil Wells. The wells are eiiiciently discharged and this is done by a comparatively small amount of compressed air. Certain objections which were present in the prior art are also eliminated. The method and apparatus have been amply demonstrated in actual practice, found to be very successful and efficient and the same have been successfully used on several hundred oil Wells in the State of Pennsylvania.

It will of course be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement andproportions of the apparatus and in the steps and sequence of steps of the method without departing from the scope of applicants invention, which, generally stated, consists in a method and apparatus capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, such as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

'1. An apparatus for blowing an oil well having in combination, a casing disposed in said well and spaced from the wall thereof so as to form a chamber thereabout, said casing extending below the oil supply and having openings for the passage of oil thereinto, an oil discharge conduit extending downwardly into said casingto adjacent the bottom thereof having communication adjacent its lower end with said casing and adapted to receive oil adjacent its lower end, a second conduit for supplying air under pressure to said casing for discharging oil through said discharge 52,157,0g'bbl3 ;-'chamber to discharge :air underzpressure thereanito for iorcing: oilt-into :said casing.

i2.'fl?he structure set forth in claim 1, ;a dis-- :chargefconduit for .gases,:means for-shutting off 'ithe supply lof;air under pressure to said casing and :means :for connecting said gas discharge conduitte said chamber.

.An apparatus for blowing an oil wellhav- @ing in combination, a :casing disposed "in said well iandrspaced from the wall thereof so :asito form :aichamber-thereabout, said casing extend- -ing below theioil-supplyan'd having openings for ithe passage of oileth-ereinto, an oil dischargecon- 'duit :ex-tending idownwardly into said casing-to fiadjaceritxthebottom thereof, said discharge conduit having Jan 'airdischarge opening adjacent "ithe bottom o'f sai'd 'casing,1a second conduit for supplying a'ir un'der pressure to said conduit ad- :jacentthetop thereoflmeansfor closing said disschar ge conduit adjacent the top of said casing wvh'erebyrair can be forced downwardly into said discharge conduit to force ioil therefrom down'to 'said opening, and-means for'indicatingthe head 'of 'oil insaid casing.

4. An apparatus "for blowingzan oil well .hav- I ing in combination, a casing disposed in said well andispaced from the wall thereof so as to f0rm--a'chamber thereabout, said teasing extending below the oil supply andihaving openings :for the passage of oil thereinto, an oil discharge conduit extending downwardly into said casing to adiacent'the bottom thereof and'hav'ing an openingiat its l'owerend, a second conduit for supply- :ing 'air under pressure tosaid casing/means for closing said discharge conduit, a gauge ?in said discharge conduit, a member connected to said second conduit having a chamber therein, a passage extending from said chamber to said discharge conduit adjacent said gauge, a valve for cont-rolling said passage, and a valve for shutting on and permitting communication between .said last mentioned chamber and second conduit whereby the pressure in said discharge conduit and-thus the amount of oil in said casing can be read upon said gauge.

5. In an oil well blowing apparatus including an oil-receiving casing in said wel1 and a chamher about said casing, a block having a passage :therein adapted to be connected to a source of air :under pressure, a valve-controlled conduit connected to said passage, said block having a second passage for the discharge of gas from said chamberya third passage adapted to be connected to said casing and a fourth passage adapted to be connected to said chamber, a valve in said block for shutting off or permitting communication between said first mentioned passage and .said second and fourth passages, a second valve in said block for shutting oii or permitting communication between said first mentioned passage and third passage, and a third valve in said block for shutting off or permitting communication between said second and fourth passages.

6. The structure set forth in claim 5, said block also having an exhaust passage extending to the atmosphere and a valve for shutting off or permitting communication between said third passageand said exhaust passage.

'7. The structure set forth in claim 5, a conduit connected to said fourth passage and chamber and a valve for shutting off or permitting communicationbetween said fourth passage and the atmosphere.

8. The structure set forth in claim 5, a small passage extending from said fourth passage, a

28 :gauge connected to @said small :passage, ;and a "valve controlling :said small passage .whereby whenrsaidjast i-mentioned .valve ,is open and said #fi-rst mentioned conduit is-closed and saidthird valve :is :closed'; said auge -will indicate the pressure in said chamber;

-9. An apparatus for blowing anoil wellhavling in combination,--a casing disposedin said well ,7 and :spaced from the wall thereof so as to form a chamber ithereabout, saidcasing extending below the oil supply and .having openings for the passage of oil thereinto, an oil discharge conduit extending :downwardly into -said casing :to adj acent "the bottom thereof, a-second conduit for supplying air :under pressure to said casing, means tor -closing said-discharge conduit,'a valve block havingza-lpassage therein to which said-second'conduit ais connected, means for shutting v01f --and-;permitting communicationbetween saidpassage :and second conduit, means connecting said casingand :passage, *and a gauge connected to said"passage-forindicating the pressure in said casing. V j

10. The'structure-setforth in'claim '9, a-small "passageiconnectlngxsaid passage and gauge, and

'a valve for controlling-saidsmall passage.

-11. lnan oilwell-blowing apparatus including an oilereceiving casing zin said' well and achamber about said casing, a block having --a passage therein adapted to be :connected to a source .of air under pressure,,-a=-valve:in saidrblock forshut- *ting ofl .or permitting communication between said passage and-casing, an exhaust passage in ,said blockrextendingto the atmosphere, a valve for shutting ofi. or permitting communication between said .casing and exhaust passage, a second passage in said block, connected to saidrchamber, and a :valve in saidablock fonshutting-ofi or permitting communication :betweensaid second pasvsageandiirshmentionedpassage.

.1'2. Thestructure-set forthin'claim 11, a discharge passageforgas in said block, and a valve in -said .block for, shutting off or permitting .communication.betweenasaid second passage and said discharge passage.

3. Thestructureset "forth in. claim .11, asmall valveecontrolled .passage inlsaid block connected tosaidfirstmentioned passage, andaigauge connected to .said .block and communicating with saidsmallpassage.

.14. --An apparatus vfor blowingan oil well having in combination,.a casing disposedrin said well andspaced from the wall thereof so as to forma chamber .thereabout, said casing. extending below the oil supply and having openings for the .passage .of .oil rthereinto, an oil dis'charge conduit extending downwardly ,into said casing to adjacent thebottom thereof, means for delivering air .under pressure into said casing J'to discharge oil through .said .cohdu'it,.and :means Qfor closing said .discharge conduit, a conduit including a portion of said first mentioned ,means connecting said casing to said chamber, a valve movable to closed position for closing said last mentioned conduit to retain said air under pressure .in said casing and movable to-open position to 'open said conduitIandJpermit said air under pressure to pass into said chamber for forcing oil'fromsaid chamber into ,said casing.

,15. ,An apparatus for blowing an oil well having in combination. a casing disposed in said well and spaced from'the'wall thereof so as to form a chamber therealz'ouusa'id casing extending below the oil supply 'and'having openings ,ior the passage of oil"thereinto, an oil discharge conduit 9 extending downwardly into said casing to adjacent the bottom thereof, a second conduit for supplying air under pressure into said casing, a third conduit extending to said casing and to said second conduit, a valve adapted to be opened for connecting said second and third conduits and to be closed to out ofi communication between the same, a fourth conduit connected to said chamber and extending to said third conduit, a second valve adapted to be closed for shutting of! communication between said third and fourth conduits and adapted to be opened for connecting said third and fourth conduits, and a third valve for closing said second conduit whereby by opening said first mentioned and third valves and closing said second valve, air under pressure can 10 be delivered to said casing to force oil through said discharge conduit, and by closing said third mentioned valve and openingsaid first and second valve, said air from said casing can be delivered to said chamber to force oil into said casing,

JOHN B. HAWLEY, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 

